It is a very common practice these days to overlook the correct amount of air pressure in the tires of vehicles. People spend a lot of money maintaining their cars to maintain fuel efficiency, but they ignore this important aspect of tire air pressure. Usually, we are the ones who dictate its useful life. Along with balance and wheel alignment, tire pressure not only defines our driving experience, but can also lead to a fatal accident if not kept under observation. Tires have treads on their surface that can wear out prematurely if you have a casual attitude towards your air pressure.
Each vehicle comes with a recommended tire pressure measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) according to its manufacture. It is between 30-34 PSI for most vehicles. It is mostly printed inside the driver’s door sill or sometimes inside the fuel tank flap. You can also consult your owner’s manual to verify the exact number of your tires. It is the pressure that any tire can withstand with a specified amount of load on the vehicle. Neither over-inflating nor under-inflating the tires would help the car perform better on the road. Instead, it would result in rapid tire wear.
OVERINFLATION:
When the amount of air inside the tire crosses the recommended limit, it rounds off from the center of the tread, exposing less of the tire bed to the road. Over time, the center tread of your tire would wear down compared to the shoulders. You may have to change your tires much sooner, no matter how expensive you’ve already installed them. Many people view this practice as saving fuel, but it could be deadly. When you expose less of the tire bed to the road, the car significantly loses its grip on the road. There is a good chance of facing problems while turning the car at high speeds and it may even lead to an accident. The vehicle takes longer to slow down with overinflated tires. As a result, the handling of the car is greatly affected. Therefore, it is highly recommended to keep an eye on the correct amount of air pressure in your tires as specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
LOW INFLATION:
Similarly, driving with lower than usual air pressure can also reduce tire life and burn more fuel. When a tire is underinflated, it experiences less inflation in the center of the tread, causing the tire to wear at the shoulders. Eventually, you will have to schedule a replacement ahead of time. Also, the resistance between the tires and the road increases with low air pressure, making it difficult for the car to accelerate. In return, an engine requires more power to accelerate the car, making the car less fuel efficient. This would not only cause you to spend extra money on fuel, but the tires would also need early replacement. Whenever you feel difficulty in moving the steering wheel, don’t waste time checking your tires.
CONCLUSION:
So keeping a close eye on the gauge and maintaining proper air pressure before driving will make your life easier. Always keep an eye on the air pressure in your spare tire, as you may need to replace it at some point in your trip. Follow your vehicle’s recommended pressure to avoid inconveniences and get them to complete their life cycle.